The Power of Anger

“…He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city….” Proverbs 16:32

Where “anger” is a concern, I’m sure you have heard the all too familiar verse over and over: “…be angry but sin not….” (Ephesians 4:26). This verse of scripture has been the banner of sorts that many Christians have raised to justify their fits of rage. Perhaps you’ve even heard the reference to Jesus Christ clearing out the temple from the unwanted money changers (in Matthew 21 & Mark 11). For many years the Church (in general) has toiled with the “anger” issue, and in many respects, are still toiling with it.

First of all, I believe we can agree that anger is a natural emotion. All of us, at one time or another and in one way or another have experienced anger. How we may have expressed that anger is something different altogether. Saints, God has shown me some revealing knowledge about the true meaning and applications of anger. For starters, I’d like to deal with a few things from the verse that many of us know so well: Ephesians 4:26

“…be angry but sin not, and don’t let the sun go down on your anger [wrath] ….” NASV

When Paul said “be angry”, he was NOT giving the Christian a justifiable leg to stand on. Let’s see what he was really saying. First, the word “angry” comes from the Greek word, “Orgizo” (or-gid-zo), which is derived from its root, “Orge” (or-gay) – also where the English word “orgy” is derived. Yes, that word “orgy” – an assisted arousal of human emotion and corporate call for emotional [arousal] agreement. Well, the word “Orgizo” is essentially this same arousal to anger. In addition, it’s something that is welcomed and called for corporately. The root “Orge” is natural human character. It’s the movements of and within the soul, a natural desire and tendency to please and seek out pleasurable outcomes. Ok, get this… Anger is something that is naturally accepted by the human (lower) nature and is something that will excite, arouse, provoke, stir up and awaken the natural movements of the soul (which is our self-consciousness).

WOW! Have you ever thought that your anger was the arousal of something that really controlled you and caused you to seek out [call for] the agreement of others? Have you ever known that anger excites or provokes others to angry along with you? Do you know that when you and I provoke others to anger, we have essentially developed an ANGRY “orgy”? WOW! Frankly speaking, we are people who LOVE to be angry in our lower nature. We feel good when we are vindicated and can see the one(s) who may have offended us hurting. Be honest with yourself, doesn’t it make you feel good to “get back” and fulfill your need for revenge? This is ANGER from its truest understanding.

The second word [anger] of this verse is another word altogether: “Parorgismos” (par-org-is-mos'). Its origin has two roots, the word “Parorgizo” (par-org-id'-zo) and the word “Para” (Par-ah), meaning to have desire for arousing through indignation and being near it, together with it, beside it, and/or under its controlling influence [anger]. Paul was really saying in Ephesians 4:26 (my paraphrase), “…while in your natural position (your lower nature), do not allow yourself to be overcome and controlled with seducing anger, and don’t go to bed with your lower nature in control of you and continually seducing you…” This leads me to our main text in Proverbs 16:23

Saints, I believe what we can affirm the fact that anger is ALWAYS about “personal control.” Solomon (the Proverb writer) deals with this issue in several different verses and from many different perspectives. I suppose that we could learn from this topic for months. Proverbs 16:23 essentially agrees with what we have learned as well. Notice the comparison of being slow to anger and having captured an entire city! In fact, he calls “being slow to anger” as being able to “rule your own spirit.” In other words, Solomon is essentially teaching us to have “personal control.”

I love the metaphor of “capturing a city” here, because realistically, we will find it VERY difficult to control ourselves (especially when in fits of rage). Yet, Christians MUST engage in the seemingly daunting task of capturing his/her own spirit. It has to be viewed as a monumental task, but one that can be done! Time and space does not permit me to share on the idea of what it means to “rule.” However, I will say that the “rule” Solomon is talking about is NOT our own government, but the Government of the ONE in whom we have surrendered our government to: Jesus Christ! We RULE when HE RULES! If Jesus Christ is NOT Lord in your life, it becomes easier to fall under the control and seduction of anger. Perhaps we can use offenses and the various FRUSTRATION that we experience from day to day as opportunities to COMMUNE with God and to encounter HIS PEACE!

“…and the Government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, THE PRINCE OF PEACE….” Isaiah 9:6-7

Pass The Word….

Grace & Peace,
Roc